K 43 & K 98 pouches question

[fanatyk6]

Hi,

I've seen couple of sets of German soldier equipment sets for K 43 riflemen and always there were one K 43 & one K 98 pouch. Why it is this way? Wasn't is better to carry two K 43 pouches (4 mags) instead of only one pouch (2 mag)? Why did they carry K 98 pouch?

Thanks for help

[Michael Kuligowski]

Hi,

I've seen couple of sets of German soldier equipment sets for K 43 riflemen and always there were one K 43 & one K 98 pouch. Why it is this way? Wasn't is better to carry two K 43 pouches (4 mags) instead of only one pouch (2 mag)? Why did they carry K 98 pouch?

Thanks for help

one g43 was carrying 20 rounds... one k98 pouch - 30 rds, I guess they could load these 2magz quickly with 5rd clips and at the same time carry more ammo

[anmarlodz]

one g43 was carrying 20 rounds... one k98 pouch - 30 rds, I guess they could load these 2magz quickly with 5rd clips and at the same time carry more ammo

I suspect there could be another reason ; the shortages of g43 ammo pouches.

[knoffhoff]

I always thought it was because the rifle was issued with only 3 magazines per soldier.

[Hans Zeug]

60 rounds.

Hi,yes I all ways thought they were issued one K/G43 pouch and one K98 pouch so as to carry more ammunition.30 rounds in the K98 pouch to fill the 10 round magazine,3 mags making a total of 60 rounds.In the "Darrin Weaver book" he states that an additional K98 pouch was also carried in the soldier's rucksack. Regards David.

[Luciusdegeer]

Anmar, I think you refer to the shortages of K43 pouches in 1944-'45? Because nowadays there's no shortage at all of these pouches!

[Darrinw]

The answer is that they were terribly short of magazines for the G/K43 and did not have enough to issue 4 or 5 per rifle. 1/2 of the mag production went to the Volkswagen program. Regards,

Darrin

Hi,

I've seen couple of sets of German soldier equipment sets for K 43 riflemen and always there were one K 43 & one K 98 pouch. Why it is this way? Wasn't is better to carry two K 43 pouches (4 mags) instead of only one pouch (2 mag)? Why did they carry K 98 pouch?

Thanks for help

[Sonnenwende]

Another thread on the subject:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=636439

At the end of the war even just 1 mag. was issued with the K43 pouch!

Could you expand on the subject of the Volkswagen program Darrinw? Don´t have the book here.

Regards
Sonnenwende

[duv]

If it was weapon for close combat (like mp40 or stg) it would have more mags,
but I think that shortages of g43 pouches is best reason.

and propably in the 44-45 german have a lot of spare k98 pouches .

so, to much k98 pouches, not enough mags an pouches for g43

Best Regards